Sedert vijfentwintig jaar vrede in de Nederlanden 1738

Curator: This engraved bronze relief is a commemorative medal by Nicolaas van Swinderen dating from 1738, titled, "Sedert vijfentwintig jaar vrede in de Nederlanden," celebrating twenty-five years of peace in the Dutch Republic. Editor: The composition is quite striking, almost theatrical! I'm drawn to the seated figure with the tablets. There is a strong sense of allegory and order here. Curator: You are right, there's a complex visual language at play. The seated figure embodies Justice, her steady gaze meeting ours even as she is surrounded by chained figures below who personify subjugated discord. Editor: The contrast is vivid, both compositionally and politically. Justice presiding over prostrate figures of strife—it’s such an assertive declaration, isn’t it? Given the history of conflict in the region, I wonder how widely this medal was circulated and how it was received? Curator: The angel blowing a horn reinforces the concept of sustained peace and justice for the area. In terms of symbolic significance, notice the tablets held by Justice - likely a visual echo of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments; she almost becomes law personified! Editor: Interesting, a tangible manifestation of legal and moral authority. The inclusion of a classical building in the background also emphasizes this notion, drawing parallels to systems of justice and governance in the ancient world. On the reverse side, all those crests under crowns suggest complicated layers of negotiation! Curator: Yes, that’s right. All those crowned coats of arms likely represent the different powers and principalities that came together to enable that era of stability in the Netherlands. Its creation marked a high point for the country, both in commerce and artistic pursuits. Editor: And the inscription framing the imagery ties the whole package together, essentially offering a blessing for enduring harmony. All in all, the object’s symbolic power makes it a compelling window into its period. Curator: Indeed, analyzing these images gives a fascinating snapshot of what values Dutch society elevated and broadcast during that relatively stable moment in the 18th century. Editor: Thank you! It seems even a tiny metal disc, if carefully observed, can become a gateway to much wider stories.